Synthesis and characterization of curcumin loaded alginate microspheres for drug delivery

Abstract Curcumin loaded alginate microspheres (Cur-AMs) have the potential to be used in drug delivery system for therapeutic treatment. This study reports the development of the controlled size Cur-AMs using an emulsification/gelation method and the curcumin release mechanism. The Cur-AMs was synthesized by water-in-oil emulsion technique followed by the gelation of the emulsion droplets. The size of the microspheres was tailored by alginate concentration. The particle size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE), curcumin release profile, in vitro degradation and antimicrobial activity of Cur-AMs were investigated. The Cur-AMs were in a spherical shape with the average diameter ranging from 20.2 μm to 72.3 μm. The EE was proportional to alginate concentration and reached 53.36% at 5% w/v of alginate concentration. The Cur-AMs showed a sustained drug release over 672 h. The weight loss percentage of the microspheres reached 89.6% after 42 days of degradation. The drug release mechanism of Cur-AMs initiated with the diffusion of curcumin though out the swell-able alginate network, followed by the disintegration of alginate matrix. Additionally, the Cur-AMs was susceptible to S. aureus ATCC 12600 and resistance to E. coli ATCC 25922. The obtained Cur-AMs have promising potentials in therapeutic delivery via parenteral injection route.